Southampton hit back after Mark Clattenburg is told he 'has no case to answer' in Adam Lallana row

Club say they "do not consider the case to be over" after Clattenburg is
backed by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd for telling Southampton
forward: "You’re very different now since you played for England. You
never used to be like this."

Southampton were preparing for war with England's elite referees on Friday after refusing to accept the decision to clear Mark Clattenburg of abusing a player for the second time in just over a year.

Professional Game Match Officials Ltd said Clattenburg had "no case to answer" for telling new England forward Adam Lallana: "You’re very different now since you played for England. You never used to be like this."

But the south-coast club stood by their claim Clattenburg had "verbally insulted" Lallana during their Premier League defeat at Everton on Sunday and threatened to escalate the issue.

Head of media Jordan Sibley said in a statement: "An official insulting any player, no matter his intentions, is clearly not acceptable behaviour.

"For this reason, we do not accept the verdict of the PGMOL in relation to this case, and do not consider the matter to be over.

"Under the circumstances, we do not feel it appropriate for Mr Clattenburg to officiate in any of our matches until this matter is properly resolved."

PGMOL made it clear it would not bow to that request, having also been asked for an apology for Clattenburg’s conduct.

It said in a statement: "PGMOL is committed to constructive dialogue and communication with clubs, managers and players.

"On December 31, PGMOL received a letter from Southampton who raised concerns about the conduct of Mark Clattenburg following their game with Everton on December 29.

"In a written response to Southampton, PGMOL acknowledge that their complaint has been considered in full.

"However, given the nature of the conversation with the player, having reviewed the footage and spoken to the team of officials as well as the Premier League Match Delegate it has been found that there is no case to answer.

"Mark has the full support of PGMOL management and will be considered for selection for all and any matches going forward in the usual way."

Clattenburg was also cleared by the Football Association to remain the man in the middle for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Southampton filed their complaint following a confrontation between Lallana and Clattenburg in the tunnel at Goodison Park after the final whistle on Sunday.

Lallana was angry about two penalty appeals that were turned down by Clattenburg on what was the official’s first Everton home game since he infuriated them with a series of decisions during a 2007 Merseyside derby.

The player claimed Clattenburg addressed him on the pitch with a remark of a "personal" nature, which it emerged on Friday had been an admonishment over his conduct and the suggestion his attitude had changed since he made his England debut against Chile in November.

Southampton decided the remark was inappropriate and insulting and made a formal complaint about that and Clattenburg’s overall performance, having also been unhappy with some of his displays when he had refereed them previously.

They felt he must have been under particular pressure on his return to Everton because of the fallout from his last game there.

Conversely, it is believed in refereeing circles that Clattenburg is still suffering from the accusation in October 2012 that he racially abused Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel during the Londoners’ defeat to Manchester United.

An FA investigation into that also concluded there was no case to answer and Clattenburg has since again officiated Chelsea matches.

#ThingsThatUpsetAdamLallana Twitter users had a field day when they discovered what had incensed Adam Lallana so much and the story very quickly earned its own hashtag

Footballers who can’t play on the left AND the right @Pochettino_Not

When he’s talking, people putting their fingers in their ears and saying Lallana I can’t hear you @Baddiel

That feeling that you were sure you locked the door but you can’t remember 100% if you did or not. @ReynardCity

The possibility of seeing a parking space only to see it taken by a tiny car in between two bigger cars. @TheHayeMaher

Not being able to fold a piece of paper more than 7 times. @sardinetrawler

When there’s unidentified items in the bagging area. @paddypower

When the lady in the chippy puts salt & vinegar on his chips without asking him even though he wanted it anyway. @millxr